Pectin–chitosan physical hydrogels as potential drug delivery vehicles

Pectin–chitosan hydrogels are intriguing and relatively new type of physically crosslinked hydrogels. Here we present for the first time a study exploring the suitability of pectin–chitosan hydrogels to serve as drug carriers and the mechanism controlling the release patterns. Using drug release assays, we demonstrated sustained release of three model drugs (mesalamine, curcumin and progesterone) over a period of 24 h in physiological conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments were used to characterize the interactions between the investigated drugs and the polymers. These experiments, as well as swelling analysis, support the claim that the magnitude of interactions strongly affect the release rates. These new pectin–chitosan thermoreversible hydrogels may improve the life style of many patients by reducing the daily uptake of chronic medicines.